EMERGENCY SIMULATION: STATE OF THE ART AND FUTURE RESEARCH GUIDELINES

Emergency simulation has received increasing attention in recent years (above all after 9/11) and several research works (including quantitative models, advanced methodologies and tools) have been developed and proposed. Since 2006, Emergency Simulation has become one of the most important tracks/workshop of the Summer Computer Simulation Conference, SCSC, part of the International Simulation Multiconference, ISMC. Prior to 2006, specific tracks on homeland security were often included in the SCSC. The time seems right for presenting a review of the articles (mostly submitted to the Emergency Track at SCSC but also including additional relevant articles) that address the use of simulation for emergency situations, including, among others, disaster management and evacuation problems (both on large and small scales). To this end, we provide a comprehensive overview of the main scientific approaches proposed (in the two areas indicated above) by researchers and simulation experts. The overview in each area is presented through a detailed description of the research work on which it is based.